Glamorous Large-Flowering Amaryllis

Amaryllis bulbs (Hippeastrum) are flowers of choice to take the gray chill out of winter with their audacious, sexy tropical-looking blossoms in the dead of winter! Incredibly easy to plant, nearly foolproof to grow, they provide weeks and even months of bloom indoors as potted plants or cut flowers. What more could you want?

• There are 5 main types of Amaryllis including large flowering, double flowering, small flowering, trumpet-shaped and cybister Amaryllis.
• The most popular group is the Large Flowering Amaryllis group with single flowers up to 8-10 in (20-25 cm). Their cultivars belong to the Galaxy group.
• Each bulb usually produces 2-3 stems and 3-6 flowers per stem. The bulb size and the cultivar are factors determining the number of flower stems that will develop. The bigger the bulb, the more chance it will produce more flower stems with several flowers to a stem.
• Large Flowering Amaryllis tend to grow up to 18-24 in. tall (45-60 cm).
• Depending on temperature, they bloom 6-10 weeks after planting. Since the flowers do not bloom simultaneously, the overall flowering period lasts a fairly long time.
• Hardy to USDA zones 8-11, Amaryllis bulbs may be planted outdoors (deep South only). They will bloom in late spring – early summer and may be used in rock gardens or in garden beds amongst groundcovers or perennials
• The nice thing about forcing Amaryllis bulbs into flower in the home is that it is so simple to do. What’s more, once the bulbs have flowered, they can be stored and brought into flower again.